XtraTime Web Desk: Indian Hockey team has begun its journey in the Hockey World Cup-2018 in a convincing fashion as they beat South Africa 5-0 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.
Manpreet Singh gave the first goal for the host nation in the 9th minute. Akashdeep Singh then netted the ball in the 12th minute before the end of the first quarters.
India’s lead continued with three back to back goals by Simranjeet Singh (43 & 46) and Lalit Upadhyay (45).
Simranjeet Singh was adjudged as the ‘Player of the Match’ for his brilliant two strikes. He received a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
The hosts will next face Belgium in its Pool-B match on December 2. The match is going to be a high-voltage one as Belgium also outplayed Canada by 2-1 in the opening match of Hockey World Cup-2018 earlier today.